PSProviders are basically data stores. you can handle those like a normal datasystem folder.
get-psproviders will get you a list of all the psproviders.
example: with
cmd.exe it was not possible to change your current location to the Registry. you had the possibility to change registry settings with cmd, but you can not handle it like a directory or cdto the registry.
in PowerShell, the Registry is a PSProvider. means you can access it like a datasystem folder. if you type
cd hklm: you're actually inside the local machine registry, and can access its content with Get-ChildItem
this has the advantage that you can provide for example PSDrives which actually point into the registry.
New-PSDrive -name G -PSProvider Registry -Root HKCU:\Software
The G:\ Drive is now mapped to the Current User > Software Registry. (only for the current PSSession)
There are a lot of functionalities you can do with PSProviders. you should execute and read
get-help about_providers for further information.
